Box folding machine



Feb. 25, 1969 A. E. RANDLES, JR

BOX FOLDING MACHINE Sheet Filed Aug. 29. 1966 INVENTOR. ARTHUR E. RANDLES ,JR.

ATTORNEYS Y 4 0 lol l I I l lhHHl #i Feb. 25, 1969 A. E. RANDLES, JR 3,429,236

BOX FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1966 Sheet 2 of 5 INVENTQR ARTHUR E. RANDLES ,JR

-- Gregg i 5MM@ ATTORNE YS Feb. 25, 969 A. E. RANDLES, JR 3,429,236

BOX FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29. 1966 I N VE NTOR.

Grt/f1' g. SMM

ATTORNELS Feb. 25, i969 Filed Aug. 29', 1966 A. E. RANDLES, JR

BOX FOLDING MACHINE INVENTOR.

ARTHUR E. RANDLES ,JR.

Gregg i SWW ATTORNEYS Feb. 25, 1969 A. E. RANDLES, JR 3,429,236

BOX FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1966 INVENTOR.

BY f

ATTORNEYS l ARTHUR E. RANDLES,JR.

United States Patent O i 3,429,236 BOX FOLDING MACHINE Arthur E. Randles, Jr., 707 Warrington Road, Redwood City, Calif. 94063 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 482,847, Aug. 26, 1965. This application Aug. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 582,785 U.S. Cl. 93-51 6 Claims Int. Cl. B31b 1/06, 1/44 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A box folding machine including a horizontally reciprocable carriage for delivering box blanks from a magazine to folding station, a vertically reciprocable carriage supporting plunger-type folding mechanisms and blank pick-off and feed fingers, all driven directly from a single shaft for simplified timing.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 482,847, iiled Aug. 26, 1965, now abandoned, for Box Folding Machine.

This application relates to a box folding machine and, more particularly, to a simplified mechanism for delivering box blanks from a magazine to a box folding station in synchronisrn with a plunger-type folder at the flding station.

In conventional box folding machines of the plunger type, the cartons are delivered from a magazine assembly wherein they are disposed in an upright position, either vertically or slightly inclined, and they are moved to a horizontal position at the plunger folding station. Since the folding station is normally remotely displaced from the assembly, complex mechanisms are often employed for moving the carton blank through this transition or for placing it on a suitable conveyor for the transporting movement. In addition, this transportation of carton blanks must be timed precisely with the movement of the plunger folding mechanism so that the carton is precisely positioned with a minimum of delay before the plunger engages it. As a Consequence, complex timing mechanisms are often required to cycle these operations properly.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a simple, easily timed mechanism for transporting ca-rton blanks from the feed magazine to the folding station.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple lightweight plunger mechanism for use in a box folding machine.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a box folding machine having related, easily timed reciprocating members for feeding and folding box blanks.

In carrying out this invention, I provide two machine elements which are rotated together each driving through a simple link, a carriage or plunger that is slidably mounted on a circula-r rod and carries a bifurcated guide arm that straddles a second rod for guiding purposes. Since the machine elements are driven together, reciprocation of the carriages is inherently in precisely timed relationship, and a simple adjustment of each crank on its shaft will produce the timing desired. The iirst carriage is mounted for generally horizontal movement and includes a series of lingers that engage the trailing edges of box blanks as they are placed on parallel slide rails to push them to the folding station, The second carriage is mounted for generally vertical movement and carries conventional box folding elements which complete the erection of a carton.

As an additional feature of this invention, I provide a rocker shaft that is driven by a third machine element 3,429,235 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 that is mounted on either of the first two shafts, again to rotate in fixed timed relationship. The third machine element is connected to oscillate an arm on the rocker shaft, and thereby to oscillate one or more pickup lingers carrying vacuum cups which seize a carton blank. The fingers are preferably flexible so that the suction cups will be engaged under some pressure without requiring precision mounting. Also, as a feature of this invention, I provide a bell crank lever that is operated by a cam on one of the main operating shafts to move a valve sealing member into and out of engagement with a vacuum valve so that the suction cups are under vacuum only when they are transporting a carton.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description following when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of my box folding machine with portions of the cover panels removed to i1- lustrate relative location of its components;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the box folding machine with the cover raised;

FIG. 3 is a top section view of the machine taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are perspective views in more or less schematic form illustrating the operation of the machine;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial front and side views, respectively, of a vacuum valve control device forming part of this invention; and

FIGS. l0 and 1l are perspective, schematic views of another embodiment of this invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. l and 2 showing the general structural arrangement, my box folding machine includes a frame 10 which may be supported on wheels 11, a magazine 12 for box blanks B, a first main shaft 14 and a second main shaft 16, driven together as by means of a chain 18 connected between sprockets 19 and 20 which are of the same diameter so that both main shafts are rotated at the same speed from a single power source such as the motor 22. Also provided on the machine is a vacuum pump 24 connected by suitable hose means to suction cups 28 which are carried on radial fingers 30 mounted on a rocker shaft 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, machine elements for converting rotary motion to reciprocal motion, such as crank arms 34 and 36, are carried on each of the main shafts 14 and 16, and each is connected by a lin-k 38 and 40 to a sliding carriage 42 and 44. The carriage 42 is mounted on guide rods 46 and 46a for generally horizontal movement parallel to a pair of slide rails 48 along which a carton blank B is adapted to slide, as will hereinafter be described. Upstanding from the carriage are pusher fingers 49 which engage the trailing edge of a carton blank B to move it along the slide rails 46. Preferbaly, the pusher fingers are of generally inverted .L-shape so that a portion extends over the surface of the carton to hold it down against buckling as it moves along the slide rails.

The carriage 44 is mounted for generally vertical movement on guide rods 50r and 51 (FIG. 2) and carried at the lower end thereof is a box folding structure 52 which is of conventional design and does not form a part of this invention. A safety cover 54 is hingedly connected at the top of the frame 10 and when pivoted down to the normal closed position shown in FIG. l, it engages a cover interlock switch 56 (FIG. 2) to permit operation of the motor.

Referring now to lFIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the horizontal transfer carriage 42 includes a generally U-shaped slide member, the forward and rear legs of which 42a and 42b are bored to slidably engage the guide rod 46 that is tixedly mounted on the frame. A lateral extension of the carriage 58 carries a bifurcated guide 60 which straddles the second guide rod 46a to maintain the generally horizontal disposition of the carriage without requiring a precise fit. Thus, the bifurcated guide 60 will engage the rod 46a over a range of positions transverse to the direction of movement, continuing to guide without binding.

The plunger carriage comprises a similar U-shaped member 44 with opposite legs 44a and 44h bored to receive the guide rod `50, and a lateral extension 61 also has a bifurcated guide 62 to straddle and slide along the rod 51.

The relative simplicity of the operating mechanism provides some iiexibility of relative arrangement, and I have located each of the main shafts 14 and 16 approximately in the plane in which the corresponding carriage 42 and 44 moves, so that motion of the carriage is transmitted directly and axially through the corresponding links 38 and 40. Also, since the shafts are driven together by means of a chain, with both sprockets being of the same size, the cranks inherently rotate at a fixed speed ratio of one to one so that at each stroke of the box folding plunger carriage 44, the transfer carriage 42 will deliver a carton blank.

The arms 30 on which the suction cups 28 are mounted are preferably formed of flexible spring steel and they are mounted on a rocker shaft and adjusted as by screws so that they will engage the carton blank under some pressure without requiring precise adjustment. The rocker shaft 32 is turned back and forth with oscillation of an arm 66 which is driven through a link `68 by another crank 70 on the first main shaft 14.

Also, keyed or otherwise secured onto the main shaft 14, is a rotating cam 72 which is engaged by a cam follower 74 carried on a bell crank lever 76, and on the other arm of the bell crank lever is a resilient seal pad 78 that engages the open end of a tube 80 extending vfrom a manifold housing l82 in the vacuum system (FIGS. 8 and 9). Thus, the hose 26 which is connected to the vacuum pump 24 pases into the manifold housing 82 and branch hoses 84 are connected to the two vacuum cups 2.8. Since the small tube extension 80 is open to the atmosphere, the vacuum is broken to render the vacuum cups ineffective when the seal 78 is out of engagement with it. A spring 86 extending between the arm on the frame and the bell crank lever urges the cam follower into engagement with the cam, so that when the low portion 72a of the cam profile is engaged, the lbell crank lever 76 pivots forward to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 9 to retract the seal pad 78 from the atmosphere duct 80 and break the vacuum. v

Now considering FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 in sequence, the simplicity with which the time operation is achieved will readily be understood.

In FIG. the flexible pick-off fingers 30 have been oscillated by rocker shaft 32 to a position below the level of the slide rails 48 while a carton B-l is being pushed by the upstanding fingers 49 of the horizontal transfer carriage 42, which has just commenced its forward movement with its driving crank 34 having gone through approximately 60 degrees of rotation from the fully retracted position. At the same time, the cam follower 74 on the bell crank lever 76 has moved onto the low portion 72a of the cam 72 so that the sealer 78 is away from the manifold housing opening the line 80 to the atmosphere, breaking the vacuum in the suction cups 28. Thus, the vacuum cups have released the carton blank B-1 on the slide rail to permit its forward movement. As the first carton blank B-l moves toward the folding station, the vertical plunger carriage 44 is shown approaching the upper limit of its stroke, with its `drivin g crank 36 in near vertical position.

Then, in FIG. 6, the vertical plunger carriage 44 has commenced its downward stroke with the crank 36 at approximately the 90 degree point in its cycle while the horizontal transfer carriage is in its fully extended 180 position holding the blank B-l in position against stops 88 lfor folding. The blank B-l has moved from above the pick-off fingers 30, and the rocker shaft has pivoted them upward toward the next carton blank B-Z, their driving crank having passed the 90 point in its cycle. Also, in the meantime, the cam follower 74 has moved onto the high portion of the cam so that manifold 82 is sealed by the sealer 78 and the suction cups are under vacuum preparatory to engaging the next carton B-2.

Finally, in FIG. 7, the pick-off fingers 30 are fully engaged with the second carton blank with their driving crank 70 in its 180 position. It will be noted that the fingers 30 are slightly bent with the spring metal urging the suction cups -28 under pressure against the carton blank B-2. While the carton blank lB-Z is thus engaged, the cam follower 74 is still riding on the high portion of the cam 72 so that the suction cups are under vacuum. In the meantime, the horizontal transfer carriage 42 has started toward its retracted position with its crank 34 approaching the 270 point of its rotation. While the horizontal transfer carriage is moving back to receive the next carton BeZ, the plunger carriage 44 is at the bottom of its stroke, and the lfirst folded carton B-1 is ejected.

Referring now to FIGS. l0 and l1, I have shown another embodiment of my invention wherein the flexible pick-off fingers 30 carried on rocker shaft 32 are oscillated by the link 68 which, in turn, is reciprocated by a cam follower 90 pivotally mounted on the frame at 92. The cam follower 90 is pivoted by engagement with the pro- Itile of a cam 94 against which it is biased as by means of a coil spring 96.

By substituting a cam for the crank 70, certain advantages in operation are realized. Specifically, the low portion 94a of the cam profile is made suliiciently long that the flexible fingers 30 come to a position of rest while in engagement With the box blanks giving the suction cups an opportunity firmly to grasp the lowermost carton. In addition, the portion of the cam prole 9417 during which the feeding stroke is effected, is of sufficient length that the travel toward the feed carriage 58 is not too rapid.

Also as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bifurcated guide members 60a and 62a for the feed carriage and plunger carriage, respectively, are provided with rollers to insure smoother travel.

While my invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A box folding machine comprising:

a frame,

a magazine for box blanks on said frame,

:a generally horizontal box blank slideway in a plane below said magazine,

a folding station at the end of said slideway,

first guide means extending parallel to said slideway,

second guide means extending transversely of said slideway at said folding station,

first and second carriage members,

a bearing member on each of said carriage members slidably mounted on one of said guide means,

a first link pivotally connected to said first carriage member,

a second link pivotally connected to said second carriage member,

first and second shafts rotatably mounted on said frame,

drive means connecting said shafts for rotation at the same speed,

first and second rotating members mounted on said first and second shafts respectively, and operatively connected to reciprocate said first and second links, respectively,

pusher fingers on said first carriage member' engageable with a box blank on said slideway to move said box blank to said folding station, and

box folding means on said second carriage member engageable with a box blank -at said folding station,

a rocker shaft yrotatably mounted o-n said frame adjacent said magazine,

an arm carried on said rocker shaft,

drive means connecting said first shaft and said rocker shaft for oscillating said arm in timed relationship to rotation of said first and second rotating members,

a pick-off finger, and

means connecting said pick-off finger to said arm for oscillation therewith from a level below said slideway up into engagement with a box blank in said magazine and return.

2. The box folding machine defined by claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a cam mounted on said first shaft, a pivotally mounted cam follower engaging said cam, and a link pivotally connected between said cam follower and said arm.

3. The box folding machine defined by claim 1, where- 1n:

said pick-off fingers are of fiexible material and are oscillated by said rocker shaft to engage a box blank in said magazine under yieldable pressure, and including suction cups on the ends of said fingers.

4. The box making machine defined by claim 1 including:

a suction cup on the end of said linger,

1a source of vacuum,

a manifold housing,

vacuum supply lines connected from said source of vacuum to said manifold housing and from said manifold housing to said suction cup,

a port in said manifold housing open to the atmosphere and communicating with said vacuum supply lines,

a resilient seal member engageable with said port to close it off, and

cam means on said first shaft for moving said seal member into engagement with said port during that portion of the cycle from the time the suction cup moves into engagement with the box blank until it moves back to the level of said slideway.

5. A box -blank feed mechanism comprising:

a frame,

a first shaft rotatably mounted on said frame,

a magazine for box blanks on said frame,

a rocker shaft rotatably mounted on said frame adjacent said magazine,

a radial arm on said rocker shaft,

a link connected to said arm,

drive means on said first shaft connected to said link for oscillation of said arm in response to rotation of said first shaft,

ya pair of fiexible fingers on said rocker shaft,

suction cups on the ends of said fingers,

said suction cups being moved by said rocker shaft from a level below said magazine up into firm engagement with a box blank therein and return,

a source of vacuum,

a manifold body,

vacuum supply lines connected from said source of vacuum to said manifold body and from said manifold body to said suction cups,

a port in said manifold body `open to the atmosphere and communicating with said vacuum supply lines,

a seal member engageable with said port to close it off,

and

cam means on said first shaft,

a cam follower carrying said seal member and Operatively associated with said cam means for moving said seal member into engagement with said port during that portion of the cycle wherein the suction cups move into engagement with a box blank and then move back to a lower level.

6. The box blank feed mechanism defined by claim 5 wherein said last-named means comprises:

a bell crank lever,

said seal member being carried on one arm of said lever,

a cam follower on the other arm of said lever, and cam means rotatable with said rotatable member moving said seal member into engagement with said port during that portion of the cycle wherein the suction cups move into engagement with a box blank and then move `back to a lower level.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,887,020 5/1959 Currie 93-51 2,893,183 7/1959 Currie 93-49` X 3,008,384 11/1961 Pierce 93-49 3,046,849 7/1962 Bowman 93-51 3,065,679 11/ 1962 Clement 93-51 3,318,205 5/1967 Lefief 93-51 3,352,215 11/1967 Wainberg 93-51 3,352,216 11/1967 Wainberg 93-51 WAYNE A. MORSE, J R., Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 93-5 3 

